The relationship between adverse childhood experiences and interpersonal problems in adulthood among individuals aged 18 - 60 years
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64838/jmht.2026.286645Keywords:
adverse childhood experiences, generation, interpersonal problems, interpersonal relationshipsAbstract
Objective: To examine the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and interpersonal problems in adulthood.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Thai adults aged 18 - 60 years. Data were collected through online questionnaires consisting of the Thai version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire and the Thai Interpersonal Questionnaire. Associations were examined using multiple linear regression analyses, both overall and stratified by generation (Generation X, Y, and Z).
Results: A total of 106 participants were included, of whom 76.4% were female, 40.6% were in Generation X, 38.7% were in Generation Y, and 20.8% were in Generation Z. The mean ACEs score was 4.11. The most frequently reported ACEs were emotional neglect (70.7%), physical neglect (62.3%) and emotional abuse (61.3%). In the overall analysis, emotional neglect was significantly associated with interpersonal disputes (β = 0.31, p = .004), whereas emotional abuse was significantly associated with interpersonal deficits (β = 0.26, p = .018). Stratified analyses showed that among Generation X participants, ACEs were associated with multiple dimensions of interpersonal problems, including grief, interpersonal disputes, and interpersonal deficits. In contrast, among Generation Y and Generation Z participants, significant associations were observed only with interpersonal disputes and interpersonal deficits, respectively.
Conclusion: ACEs, particularly emotional neglect and emotional abuse, were associated with interpersonal problems in adults. The patterns of these associations varied across generations, reflecting the long-term impact of ACEs on the development and maintenance of interpersonal relationships in adulthood.
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